Knowledge,attitudes and management of bovine viral diarrhoea virus among eastern Australian cattle producers: results from a 2013 cross-sectional study

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically significant disease affecting the Australian cattle industry, with losses stemming from decreased production and reproductive performance and control costs. However, these losses can be difficult to appreciate, particularly in endemic regions. Overall, there is a variable but high herd-level seroprevalence in Australia. Despite a potentially high financial burden of the disease, the onus for control ultimately falls on producers and strategies employed will vary between regions. A cross-sectional study, using a postal survey, was conducted in 2013 to evaluate the BVDV knowledge, attitudes and management practices utilised by Australian cattle producers. A total of 192 producers participated in the study, and results indicate that knowledge and attitudes towards disease risk are variable and can be improved. Producer knowledge of how persistently infected (PI) animals are produced was higher than that of disease outcomes or transmission pathways. Implementation of biosecurity practices was limited, with approximately half of respondents employing quarantine procedures for introduced stock and only 2% indicating they would antigen test introduced stock for BVDV. Approximately a third (36%) of producers reported engaging in BVDV control, with the majority of these using vaccination strategies over deliberate exposure to a PI. Knowledge of and engagement with BVDV control was positively influenced by the producer relationships with veterinarians. Findings from this study suggest that building on education and delivering a consistent message among stakeholders would likely improve producer awareness and understanding in relation to BVDV and support decision making in BVDV management.     

Pet health insurances and contract services: the potential for practice involvement.

Pet medical insurance has appreciable advantages and the existing policies appear to provide a beneficial service. But administrative costs of the small premiums involved make it of doubtful commercial attraction or benefit to the client. However, practice contract service schemes reduce administrative costs and can provide many of the advantages of insurance. Such a scheme is described. A coordinating agency outside the practice to produce promotional material, contracts, formulae for setting premiums and exclusions and to act as an arbitration agency for disputes could be established given the demand.     

The economic impact of clinical transmissible gastroenteritis for swine producers participating in the Missouri mail-in-record program

Economic loss from transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) was estimated at $0.18 per hog marketed for the average Missouri Mail-in-Record swine panel producer in 1978. This cost was $0.19 per hog marketed in 1979. These estimates were averaged for all producers in the record system, those with TGE in their herds as well as TGE-free herds. Estimates were also prepared for those herds with TGE outbreaks. In 1978, the average loss due to TGE for producers who had the disease on their farms was estimated at $1.74 per hog marketed, or 18% of the average return earned above total production costs. In 1979, this cost was $1.25 per hog marketed, or 13% of the average return earned above total production costs.     

Economic losses from an episode of zinc toxicosis on a California veal calf operation using a zinc sulfate-supplemented milk replacer

An episode of zinc toxicosis in 95 veal calves caused $29,602 in losses to the producer ($315/affected calf), most of them direct, out-of-pocket losses. Increased calf mortality and increased veterinary service costs accounted for a majority (70%) of the losses. Reduction of losses may have been accomplished by removing the source and increasing the roughage content in the diet, or by shipping the animals for immediate slaughter. Given the magnitude of the financial loss, especially those associated with calf mortality, it was concluded that producers should refrain from using large amounts of mineral supplements unless a deficiency has been diagnosed.     

Measuring the costs of biosecurity on poultry farms: a case study in broiler production in Finland

Background

Farm-level biosecurity provides the foundation for biosecurity along the entire production chain. Many risk management practices are constantly in place, regardless of whether there is a disease outbreak or not. Nonetheless, the farm-level costs of preventive biosecurity have rarely been assessed. We examined the costs incurred by preventive biosecurity for Finnish poultry farms.

Methods

We used a semi-structured phone interview and obtained results from 17 broiler producers and from 5 hatching egg producers, corresponding to about 10% of all producers in Finland.

Results

Our results indicate that the average cost of biosecurity is some 3.55 eurocent per bird for broiler producers (0.10 eurocent per bird per rearing day) and 75.7 eurocent per bird for hatching egg producers (0.27 eurocent per bird per rearing day). For a batch of 75,000 broilers, the total cost would be €2,700. The total costs per bird are dependent on the annual number of birds: the higher the number of birds, the lower the cost per bird. This impact is primarily due to decreasing labour costs rather than direct monetary costs. Larger farms seem to utilise less labour per bird for biosecurity actions. There are also differences relating to the processor with which the producer is associated, as well as to the gender of the producer, with female producers investing more in biosecurity. Bird density was found to be positively related to the labour costs of biosecurity. This suggests that when the bird density is higher, greater labour resources need to be invested in their health and welfare and hence disease prevention. The use of coccidiostats as a preventive measure to control coccidiosis was found to have the largest cost variance between the producers, contributing to the direct costs.

Conclusions

The redesign of cost-sharing in animal diseases is currently ongoing in the European Union. Before we can assert how the risk should be shared or resort to the ''polluter pays'' principle, we need to understand how the costs are currently distributed. The ongoing study contributes towards understanding these issues. The next challenge is to link the costs of preventive biosecurity to the benefits thus acquired.     

Utilizing qualitative methods in survey design: examining Texas cattle producers' intent to participate in foot-and-mouth disease detection and control

The effective control of an outbreak of a highly contagious disease such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the United States will require a strong partnership between the animal agriculture industry and the government. However, because of the diverse number of economic, social, and psychological influences affecting livestock producers, their complete cooperation during an outbreak may not be assured. We conducted interviews with 40 individuals involved in the Texas cattle industry in order to identify specific behaviors where producer participation or compliance may be reduced. Through qualitative analysis of these interviews, we identified specific factors which the participants suggested would influence producer behavior in regard to FMD detection and control. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as an initial guide, we developed an expanded theoretical framework in order to allow for the development of a questionnaire and further evaluation of the relative importance of the relationships indicated in the framework. A 2-day stakeholder workshop was used to develop and critique the final survey instruments. The behaviors which we identified where producer compliance may be reduced included requesting veterinary examination of cattle with clinical signs of FMD either before or during an outbreak of FMD, gathering and holding cattle at the date and time requested by veterinary authorities, and maintaining cattle in their current location during an outbreak of FMD. In addition, we identified additional factors which may influence producers' behavior including risk perception, trust in other producers and regulatory agencies, and moral norms. The theoretical frameworks presented in this paper can be used during an outbreak to assess barriers to and social pressures for producer compliance, prioritize the results in terms of their effects on behavior, and improve and better target risk communication strategies.     

Economic evaluation of Johne's disease control programs implemented on six Michigan dairy farms

Johne's disease (JD) is an incurable, chronic infectious disease prevalent in dairy herds throughout the US and the world. The substantial economic losses caused by JD have been well documented. However, information on the costs of controlling the disease is limited, yet necessary, if producers are to make sound decisions regarding JD management. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of management changes to control JD on infected dairy farms. A 5-year longitudinal study of six dairy herds infected with JD was performed. Each herd implemented a JD control program upon study enrollment. Prevalence of JD within each herd was monitored with annual testing of all adult cows using fecal culture and/or serum ELISA. Individual cow production and culling information was collected to estimate the annual economic losses caused by JD. An economic questionnaire was developed and administered to each herd annually to estimate costs directly attributable to the JD control program. Based on the costs of the control program, and using the losses to estimate the potential benefits of the control program, the net present value (NPV) of the control program was calculated for each herd during the study and projected into the future for a total of 20 years. The NPV was calculated for four different scenarios: (1) assuming a linear decline in losses beyond the observed period of the study with JD eradication by year 20 of the control program; (2) assuming losses and JD prevalence remain constant at the rate equal to that of the last observed year while continuing the control program; (3) assuming linear increase in losses at rate equal to that in scenario 1 with no control program; and (4) assuming losses remain constant at same level as the beginning of the study with no control plan implemented. The NPV varied greatly across the herds. For scenario 1, only three herds had a positive NPV; and only two herds had a positive NPV under scenario two. In the absence of a control program, the NPV's were always negative. The costs of the JD control programs implemented on these herds averaged $30/cow/year with a median of $24/cow/year. The annual losses due to JD averaged $79/cow/year with a median of $66/cow/year. Investing in a JD control program can be cost-effective.     

Changes in the producer payments scheme for milk

The volume of milk for manufacture has more than doubled since 1970 and now exceeds that taken by the liquid market. To match producer payments more closely to market realities the MMB will, from April 1984, replace the fat and solids-non-fat compositional quality payment scheme with one based on fat, protein and lactose. In the last 10 years the seasonal trough of production has moved from December to August/September. In an attempt to slow this trend and also provide a disincentive to additional supplies at peak, the MMB is altering its seasonal price adjustments. Milk prices will be increased in August and September and decreased in May and June. The changes in themselves will not affect the total sum of money available to producers, hence most of them will see little difference to their annual income. The exception will be those producers supplying milk of either especially low or high protein and, to a lesser extent, fat content. The change in seasonal adjustments will however cause a noticeable disruption in the cash flow to all producers. The price changes are not likely to produce an immediate management response but should encourage producers to consider critically their existing feeding, breeding and calving policies.     

Stochastic modelling of direct costs of pancreas disease (PD) in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

An economic model for estimating the direct costs of disease in industrial aquaculture was developed to include the following areas: biological losses, extraordinary costs, costs of treatment, costs of prevention and insurance pay-out. Direct costs of a pancreas disease (PD) outbreak in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon were estimated in the model, using probability distributions for the biological losses and expenditures associated with the disease. The biological effects of PD on mortality, growth, feed conversion and carcass quality and their correlations, together with costs of prevention were established using elicited data from an expert panel, and combined with basal losses in a control model. Extraordinary costs and costs associated with treatment were collected through a questionnaire sent to staff managing disease outbreaks. Norwegian national statistics for 2007 were used for prices and production costs in the model. Direct costs associated with a PD-outbreak in a site stocked with 500,000 smolts (vs. a similar site without the disease) were estimated to NOK (Norwegian kroner) 14.4 million (5% and 95% percentile: 10.5 and 17.8) (NOK = €0.12 or $0.17 for 2007). Production was reduced to 70% (5% and 95% percentile: 57% and 81%) saleable biomass, and at an increased production cost of NOK 6.0 per kg (5% and 95% percentile: 3.5 and 8.7).     

Hydatid disease in Wales: 2. Eradication

The importance of hydatid disease in man and domesticated animals in Britain, and particularly in Wales, is reviewed. While the disease occurs throughout Wales the rural population in Powys shows the highest rate as estimated by hospital records and serological findings. The losses due to offal condemnation in sheep and cattle are estimated as at least 250,000. It is suggested that the feasibility of an area eradication scheme for Wales should be investigated; the form which this scheme might take is outlined.     

Conceptual foundations for infectious disease surveillance.

The purpose of this report is to offer concepts for consideration in developing infectious disease surveillance systems, defined here as active, formal, and systematic processes intentionally directed to rapidly seek out and identify infectious disease agents or disease. Performance of surveillance systems can be judged by their accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), precision (repeatability), timeliness, multiple utility, and value. Surveillance system operation and function necessary to achieve high performance are defined in part by characteristics of the specific infectious disease, including disease transition state dynamics, that define probabilities of being in the latent, infectious, or clinical phase of disease. Two key components of surveillance are the sampling scheme, which is intended to maximize the probability of capturing an infected animal or specimen as soon as possible after the herd has been exposed, and the diagnostic assays, which should maximize the probability of detecting the agent, or evidence of the agent, if it is present in the specimen, while minimizing the likelihood of a false-positive result. Proportional risk sampling, targeted sampling, and repeated sampling are strategies that can improve overall surveillance system accuracy and particularly the temporal sensitivity related to early detection. Hierarchical sampling schemes and multiplexed assays can maximize efficiency and improve utility by serving multiple surveillance systems and purposes. Development of the surveillance systems needed to address emerging and foreign animal diseases will necessarily require design and architecture that are highly probability-driven to maximize surveillance sensitivity and specificity and to minimize cost.     

Aquaculture disease and health management.

Disease problems constitute the largest single cause of economic losses in aquaculture. In 1988, channel catfish producers lost over 100 million fish worth nearly $11 million. Estimates for 1989 predict even higher losses. The trout industry reported 1988 losses of over 20 million fish worth over $2.5 million. No data are available on losses sustained by producers of shellfish. Bacterial infections constitute the most important source of disease problems in all the various types of production. Gram-negative bacteria cause epizootics in nearly all cultured species. Fungal diseases constitute the second most important source of losses, especially in the culture of crustaceans and salmon. External protozoan parasites are responsible for the loss of large numbers of fry and fingerling fin fishes and are a cause of epizootics among young shellfish. The number of therapeutants approved by the Food and Drug Administration is limited. Research to support the registration of promising therapeutic agents is urgently needed.     

Newcastle disease: outbreak losses and control policy costs

The costs of controlling and eradicating the epidemic of Newcastle disease in Northern Ireland in 1973 are presented. The parameters of the 1973 epidemic have been adjusted to simulate the effect of the same epidemic in 1997, taking into account the relative changes of input and output prices, and the changes in the structure of the poultry industry. The costs and their distribution between producers, government and the industry, in 1973 and 1997 are compared, and the costs of an alternative vaccination strategy are compared with the eradication policy in both years.     

Simulation of alternatives for the Dutch Johne's disease certification-and-monitoring program

To identify optimal method(s) for certification and subsequent monitoring of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map)-unsuspected herds, certification-and-monitoring schemes were studied using a stochastic simulation model ("JohneSSim"). JohneSSim simulated the within-herd transmission and economic aspects of Map in closed Dutch dairy herds. The model was validated with field observations on Map-unsuspected herds. The current Dutch certification-and-monitoring schemes were compared with 11 alternative schemes in which individual and pooled fecal culture, ELISA, Johnin-intradermal test and gamma-IFN ELISA were used, varying the test frequency, tested age group and number of tested animals. On reaching the 'Map-free' status with the standard certification scheme, 11% of the simulated herds were not truly Map-free. Therefore, the designation 'Map-free' should be changed into, for instance, 'low-risk Map'. In the most-attractive alternative certification scheme, the 'Map-free' status was reached after four herd examinations (at 2-year intervals) consisting of serial testing of all cattle > or = 2 years of age with a pooled fecal culture and individual fecal culture of positive pools. This scheme resulted in lower total and annual discounted costs and a lower animal-level prevalence at reaching the 'Map-free' status compared to the standard scheme, assuming that there was no new introduction of the infection. Schemes to monitor the 'Map-free' status were compared, assuming that this status was reached with the standard certification scheme. In comparison to the standard monitoring scheme, none of the alternative monitoring schemes resulted in both a lower animal-level prevalence of undetected pre-existing Map infections in closed herds, and lower median annual discounted costs. Results of the model were very sensitive to the assumed sensitivity of the fecal culture test and to management measures that prevent within-herd transmission of Map. If these preventive measures were taken, the probability of undetected Map infections in closed 'Map-free' herds was decreased substantially.     

Mortality due to fox predation in free-range poultry flocks in Britain

Information derived from questionnaires sent to producers of free-range eggs, chickens, turkeys and geese was used to assess the extent of fox predation in terms of the density of the fox population and farm management factors. The mean reported bird mortality was less than 2 per cent for all the producers, but there were marked differences between them. Egg producers reported losing many more birds to foxes than other types of producer (up to 1000 birds in a laying cycle). On average, egg and goose producers lost the highest proportions of their total flocks (0.5 per cent). The extent of predation was not associated either with large-scale estimations of the density of the fox population or with variations in the farms' habitat. Chicken predation was not linked to differences in types of housing or fencing. However, there was a positive association between losses due to other causes and chicken predation. The results suggest that changes in farm management would be the most cost-effective means of reducing fox predation, rather than greater fox control.     

Impacts of major health conditions affecting the Australian sheepmeat value chain: a review

Major health conditions in sheep contribute to substantial economic losses throughout the sheepmeat supply chain in Australia. A systematic review was undertaken to explore the measurable impact of six conditions: arthritis, sheep measles, pleurisy, pneumonia, grass seeds and rib fractures, on the production of lamb and mutton across the meat value chain. Peer‐reviewed scientific literature from three databases and non‐peer‐reviewed articles and reports from Australian government and non‐government websites were searched between 11 and 17 November 2019. Original articles, including studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand, that had measurable impacts on conditions of interest were included. The search yielded 16 articles and reports and were classified as producer impact and/or processor impact studies. Mortalities were quantified for pneumonia and arthritis, with pneumonia having the highest impact for producers. Grass seed infestation resulted in the highest impact on carcase and liveweight losses compared to arthritis and pneumonia. Arthritis had the highest trim weight losses for both lamb and mutton and the highest rate of carcase condemnation. Grass seed was the only condition where other impacts on the processor (chain speed and staff relocation to the boning room) were quantified. Although quantifiable production and processing losses were available for some conditions, this review has highlighted that limited quantifiable data based on scientifically sound research were not available for other conditions. The evidence for some conditions found in this review can be used to target future research activities and to further assist producers in making informed management decisions on prevention and control.     

Teaching veterinary students beef production medicine with student/producer teams

Veterinary colleges face difficulties in meeting the demand for rural veterinarians with the scope to practice quality production medicine. Increasing population density around veterinary colleges, retaining the interest of students with a background in animal agriculture, and educating students without a farm background requires that veterinary colleges consider innovative ways to not only teach traditional food-animal practice but give future veterinarians the advanced skills the food industry demands. This article describes a three-year elective program, Beef Records Analysis, in which beef production medicine is taught by teaming a student and a beef producer together early in the student's veterinary education. These producer/student teams complete risk assessments, balance rations, collect financial and production information, and evaluate back-grounding and feedlot enterprises. Students learn how to evaluate their producers using industry benchmarks and past performance records and how to communicate their findings back to their producer. Producers often make management decisions based on the students' findings, and, because the students maintain their relationships with producers for three years, they can assess the outcomes of the producers who follow or ignore their recommendations and interventions. Students share recommendations and outcomes associated with their herd with the entire class. This allows students to learn how to establish best management practices through objective analysis of outcomes of recommended practices of all herds represented in the class. While a formal assessment of the course is needed, the students rate the program very high on evaluations.     

Veterinary and nonveterinary costs of disease in 29 California dairies participating in the National Animal Health Monitoring System from 1988 to 1989

Twenty-nine California dairy herds were studied over a 12-month period from 1988 to 1989 as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System. Monthly interviews administered to dairy producers were used to measure the costs of all health-related expenditures and disease incidence in these herds. Of the total $1,523,558 reported, $1,355,467 (89%) was attributed to cost of disease events and $168,091 (11%) to cost of disease prevention. Most (78%) of the cost of disease events was attributable to death and culling losses. Veterinary services accounted for only $54,099 (4%) of total costs, 64% of which was used for disease prevention, compared with 36% for disease treatment. Udder disease was the most costly category of diseases reported at an average of $49.85/head at risk annually, followed by reproductive problems at $38.05. Through the use of sampling strategies less biased than those used in other surveys, the National Animal Health Monitoring System is designed to provide statistically-valid estimates of disease incidence and costs across broad geographic areas, potentially benefiting all those interested in the economics of livestock diseases in the United States.     

A survey of veterinarian and producer perceptions of herd health services in the Saskatoon milkshed.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the availability, rates of adoption, and producer perceptions of veterinary services in five areas of dairy production medicine: reproduction, milk quality, nutritional consulting, infectious disease control, and heifer rearing. Questionnaires were completed by all veterinary clinics and 86% of the dairy producers in the Saskatoon milkshed. Veterinary perceptions of services offered were compared with farmer perceptions of services received. The veterinary clinics appeared to overestimate their services in the areas of nutritional consulting and heifer rearing. The primary determinant of a producer's perception of being on a herd health program was the occurrence of regularly scheduled reproduction visits. Producers who perceived themselves as being on a herd health program also believed that they received more services in the other four main areas of production medicine. Grouping of producers, based on whether or not herd records were analyzed by their veterinarian, showed a clustering of adopters of more comprehensive herd health services as clients of two practices. This suggests that comprehensive herd health services are not readily available from all veterinary clinics in the Saskatoon milkshed.     

Comparison of management practices between Ohio, USA dairy farms participating in whole-herd Johne's disease testing programs and those not participating

The purpose of our mail survey was to compare the adoption of management practices recommended for Johne's disease (JD) control between herds involved in whole-herd testing programs versus those that do not routinely test the entire herd for JD. A questionnaire consisted of 38 closed-ended questions that inquired about: general herd characteristics; management practices related to JD control; changes that occurred within the last 5 years regarding management practices recommended for the control of JD; producer knowledge of JD; the perceived infection status of the herd by the producer; and herd JD-testing history. The questionnaire was mailed to 810 Ohio dairy producers in September 2002; 266 questionnaires were returned (32.8% response). We used univariable logistic-regression models to assess the relationship between whole-herd testing status (TESTING versus NON-TESTING) and each management practice, each change in management practice and producer knowledge about JD. Because it is conceivable that only producers who believe their herds to be infected would be motivated to adopt the management practices recommended for control of JD, the comparisons were repeated with models that controlled for producer-perceived infection status. Of the 20 management practices recommended for JD control that we evaluated, 7 differed between TESTING and NON-TESTING herds. Additionally, TESTING herds more-frequently reported adopting changes within the past 5 years relative to NON-TESTING herds with respect to 7 of 9 management practices evaluated. Producers with TESTING herds also reported greater familiarity with JD than those with NON-TESTING herds.